Designed to better meet the needs of smaller users, the new service starts with quantities as low as a single pallet, which weighs about 400-800kg. This is in contrast to a standard minimum order which weighs in at about 6 tonnes.
Best sellers
The products available under the new “Off the Shelf Chocolate” service are described by Cargill as the most trusted and best selling products in its solid chocolate portfolio. These include a variety of shapes and decorations in dark, milk and white chocolate such as buttons, drops, sticks, chunks, flakes, and splinters.
Harry Venema, commercial director for chocolate at Cargill, told ConfectioneryNews.com that the company realised that with its focus on providing tailored solutions to larger users, it was missing out on another important segment. With the launch of this new service, Cargill therefore hopes to attract smaller users with popular off the shelf products.
Target market
Interest is anticipated from smaller companies as well as larger companies operating small runs. The service is expected to appeal particularly to bakery and confectionery firms but Venema said that Cargill is targeting all food manufacturers that may use solid chocolate such as dairy and cereal companies.
He said: “This new service will appeal to manufacturers such as bakers, who already have a good relationship with Cargill as buyers of our Gerkens cocoa powders, but also to confectioners and ice cream manufacturers who may not have considered us for their solid chocolate, compounds and fillings needs.”
“Off the Shelf Chocolate is about providing some of our most trusted and best selling high quality chocolate varieties in manageable quantities for smaller users, and with the sort of simple ordering and fast delivery service they need,” said Venema.
The service is available to customers in Europe as well as South East Asia and the Middle East, added Venema.